EP3557330A1 - System and method for removing pins from a print cartridge - Google Patents
System and method for removing pins from a print cartridge Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3557330A1 EP3557330A1 EP19169256.5A EP19169256A EP3557330A1 EP 3557330 A1 EP3557330 A1 EP 3557330A1 EP 19169256 A EP19169256 A EP 19169256A EP 3557330 A1 EP3557330 A1 EP 3557330A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- pin
- removal arm
- push
- connection joint
- arm
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
- G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
- G03G15/0894—Reconditioning of the developer unit, i.e. reusing or recycling parts of the unit, e.g. resealing of the unit before refilling with toner
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
- G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
- G03G15/0896—Arrangements or disposition of the complete developer unit or parts thereof not provided for by groups G03G15/08 - G03G15/0894
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
- G03G21/10—Collecting or recycling waste developer
- G03G21/12—Toner waste containers
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
- G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
- G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
- G03G21/1803—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof
- G03G21/181—Manufacturing or assembling, recycling, reuse, transportation, packaging or storage
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
- G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
- G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
- G03G21/1803—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof
- G03G21/1817—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof having a submodular arrangement
- G03G21/1821—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof having a submodular arrangement means for connecting the different parts of the process cartridge, e.g. attachment, positioning of parts with each other, pressure/distance regulation
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
- G03G2215/00987—Remanufacturing, i.e. reusing or recycling parts of the image forming apparatus
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
- G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
- G03G2221/18—Cartridge systems
- G03G2221/183—Process cartridge
- G03G2221/1853—Process cartridge having a submodular arrangement
- G03G2221/1876—Process cartridge having a submodular arrangement for production purposes, e.g. manufacture or mass production
Abstract
Description
- The application generally relates to imaging, or printer, cartridges.
- Printing systems, such as high volume printing devices (e.g., network printers, photocopiers, etc.), typically use toner cartridges which store and transmit toner to an intended medium, such as paper. Once the toner has depleted, the used toner cartridge is removed from the printing system, and typically disposed of. Remanufacturing of used toner cartridges permits the toner cartridges to be reused rather than disposed of in landfills.
- Toner cartridges come in a variety of configurations. Although specific constructions vary among manufacturers and printers, many toner cartridges include components such as a toner hopper, a waste hopper, and a variety of toner-regulating blades, a developer roller, a primary charge roller, and an organic photo-conductor drum.
- To avoid discarding useful materials and to thereby reduce the environmental impact of printing operations, many toner cartridges may be remanufactured. Remanufacturing involves collecting used toner cartridges that, prior to their use, were brand new cartridges typically supplied by the manufacturer of the printer with which the cartridges are compatible. These cartridges are often referred to in the art as "OEM cartridges" because they are supplied by the original equipment manufacturer, i.e., the manufacturer of the printer and the compatible printer cartridge.
- Remanufacturing of toner cartridges typically includes, among other things, disassembling the toner cartridge, cleaning the toner cartridge, refilling the toner hopper with new toner, repairing or replacing worn or damaged components, and reassembling the toner cartridge.
- In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of disassembling a used toner cartridge having a toner hopper and a waste hopper coupled to the toner hopper via a first pin and a second pin. The first pin is removably coupled within a first connection joint and the second pin is removably coupled within a second connection joint. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a pin removal arm having a first push-out pin and a second push-out pin; (b) positioning the pin removal arm between the first connection joint and the second connection joint; (c) displacing the first pin of the toner hopper relative to the first connection joint with the first push-out pin by moving the pin removal arm towards the first pin; and (d) displacing the second pin of the toner hopper relative to the second connection joint with the second push-out pin by moving the pin removal arm towards the second pin.
- The toner cartridge may include a gap disposed between the toner hopper and the waste hopper. The method may further comprise aligning the pin removal arm with the gap using a first actuator. The method may further comprise actuating the pin removal arm into the gap using a second actuator. Positioning the pin removal arm between the first connection joint and the second connection joint may include actuating the pin removal arm using a first actuator. Steps (c) and (d) may include actuating the pin removal arm using an actuator. The first push-out pin and the second push-out pin may be substantially axially aligned with one another along an arm axis. The method may further comprise actuating the pin removal arm using a first actuator to co-axially align the arm axis with the pin axis. Step (c) may include displacing the first pin of the toner hopper by exerting a force on the first pin using the first push-out pin of the pin removal arm. Step (d) may further include displacing the second pin of the toner hopper by exerting a force on the second pin using the second push-out pin of the pin removal arm. The method may further comprise inhibiting movement of the toner cartridge relative to the pin removal arm during a pin removal sequence.
- In another embodiment, the invention provides a toner cartridge disassembly machine for at least partially disassembling a toner cartridge. The toner cartridge includes a toner hopper and a waste hopper coupled to the toner hopper via a first pin and a second pin. The first pin is removably coupled within a first connection joint and the second pin is removably coupled within a second connection joint. The disassembly machine includes a base, a docking station supported by the base and capable of receiving the toner cartridge, and a carrier frame movably coupled to the base. The disassembly machine further includes a pin removal arm supported by the carrier frame. The pin removal is movable into a position between the first connection joint and the second connection joint. The pin removal arm includes a first push-out pin configured to interact with the first pin and a second push-out pin configured to interact with the second pin.
- The disassembly machine may further comprise a first actuator coupled to the carrier frame for moving the carrier frame along a first direction, and a second actuator coupled to the carrier frame for moving the carrier frame along a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The toner cartridge may define a gap disposed between the toner hopper and the waste hopper. The pin removal arm may be actuatable through the gap of the toner cartridge along the first direction. The pin removal arm may be actuatable along the second direction to move the pin removal arm into the position between the first connection joint and the second connection joint. The disassembly machine may further comprise a third actuator for moving the pin removal arm along the first direction to cause the first push-out pin to interact with the first pin and to cause the second push-out pin to interact with the second pin. The first actuator and the second actuator may both be pneumatic actuators. The first and second actuators may both include a piston rod that is movable along respective movement paths when actuating the carrier frame. The disassembly machine may further comprise limit screws disposed along the movement path of the piston rods of the first and second actuators to limit the range of motion of the piston rods within a predetermined distance. The disassembly machine may further comprise a locking arm supported by the base and disposed adjacent the docking station. The locking arm may be movable between a blocking position, in which the locking arm inhibits removal of the toner cartridge from the docking station, and an unblocking position, in which the toner cartridge is permitted to be removed from the docking station. The first and second push-out pins may be removably coupled to the pin removal arm. The first push-out pin of the pin removal arm may interact with the first pin by exerting a force on the first pin to displace the first pin relative to the first connection joint. The second push-out pin of the pin removal arm may interact with the second pin by exerting a force on the second pin to displace the second pin relative to the second connection joint. The carrier frame may be movable relative to the base along a first direction and along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The carrier frame may be guided along the first direction via a first guide rail. The carrier frame may be guided along the second direction via a second guide rail that is perpendicular to the first guide rail.
- Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
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Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge disassembly machine according to some embodiments of the application, illustrating a toner cartridge supported therein. -
Fig. 2 is a side plan view of the toner cartridge ofFIG. 1 . -
Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the toner cartridge disassembly machine, illustrating a main carrier frame and a pin removal arm. -
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the pin removal arm ofFIG. 3 . -
Fig. 5 is a top view of the pin removal arm adjacent the toner cartridge. -
Fig. 6 is a top view of the pin removal arm inserted through a gap existing within the toner cartridge. -
Fig. 7 is a top view of the pin removal arm being co-axially aligned with a pair of pins of the toner cartridge. -
Fig. 8 is a top view of the pin removal arm displacing one of the pins relative to the toner cartridge. -
Fig. 9 is a top view of the pin removal arm displacing the other one of the pins relative to the toner cartridge. - Before any embodiments of the application are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
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Fig. 1 illustrates a tonercartridge disassembly machine 10 according to some embodiments of the application. The tonercartridge disassembly machine 10 is configured to at least partially dissemble atoner cartridge 300 during operation of themachine 10, as described in further detail below. Thetoner cartridge 300 is a consumable component used in a printing system (e.g., network printers, laser printers, photocopiers, etc.). Thetoner cartridge 300 stores and, in cooperation with components of a compatible printer, transfers toner to an intended medium (e.g., paper). - The
toner cartridge 300 ofFIG. 2 is an "all-in-one" cartridge and includes the following components or elements: atoner hopper 305 for storing a mass of toner; awaste hopper 310 for storing residual toner; a developer roller (i.e., a magnetic roller or a developer unit) 315; an organic photo-conductor (OPC)drum 320; and a primary charge roller (not shown) adjacent theOPC drum 320. The illustratedtoner cartridge 300 further includes a wiper blade embedded within thewaste hopper 310 and disposed adjacent theOPC drum 320. The wiper blade contacts theOPC drum 320 and wipes residual toner (i.e., toner remaining on theOPC drum 320 after transfer to the intended medium) from theOPC drum 320. The wiped residual toner is collected by awaste hopper 310. Thetoner hopper 305 is pivotably connected to thewaste hopper 310 viaconnection joints FIG. 2 ). A pair ofpins FIG. 5 ) are selectively received within corresponding connection joints 325A, 325B to couple thetoner hopper 305 to thewaste hopper 310. Thepins 330A, 300B are co-axially aligned along apin axis 338. As shown, a void orair gap 340 exists between thetoner hopper 305 and thewaste hopper 310 in the space between theOPC drum 320 and thejoints - During a printing sequence, toner is collected from the
toner hopper 305 by the rotatingdeveloper roller 315 and magnetically or electrostatically transferred from thedeveloper roller 315 to theOPC drum 320. A laser system having a laser beam, located within the printing system, scans an electrostatic image onto theOPC drum 320 with the laser beam. In some printers, the electrostatic image produced by the laser corresponds to the image to be printed. In other printers, the laser forms an electrostatic image that is a negative of the image that is to be printed. Regardless of the specific configuration, toner carried by thedeveloper roller 315 is electrostatically attracted to the electrostatic image produced on theOPC drum 320 by the laser beam. TheOPC drum 320 then applies the toner, which is in a pattern corresponding to the desired image, onto the intended medium by direct contact or by further electrostatic transfer. The toner is then fused to the intended medium, typically by way of a heating element (e.g., a fuser). - With reference to
FIGS. 1 and3 , the tonercartridge disassembly machine 10 includes abase 14, aprotection screen 18 extending upward from thebase 14, and auser control interface 22 where an operator is able to input various parameters to initiate a pin removal sequence. Thedisassembly machine 10 further includes acartridge docking station 26 that receives and temporarily supports thetoner cartridge 300 during operation. Specifically, thetoner cartridge 300 includesposts 335 extending away from thewaste hopper 310 that are supported within thedocking station 26 by a pair ofupright walls 30. Theupright walls 30 effectively create a cradle for theposts 335 to rest upon. Once theposts 335 are resting atop theupright walls 30, thetoner cartridge 300 is supported in an elevated position relative to thebase 14 and inhibited from inadvertent lateral movement. Thedocking station 26 is configured to receive different sizes of toner cartridges while ensuring consistent positioning of thegap 340 within thedocking station 26. - The
cartridge docking station 26 further includes a lockingarm 34 that is pneumatically driven by alocking arm actuator 38 to secure thetoner cartridge 300 in thedocking station 26. The lockingarm actuator 38 defines alocking arm axis 42 along which thelocking arm 34 moves and rotates about. As shown inFIG. 1 , the lockingarm 34 is in a blocking position (shown in solid lines), in which thelocking arm 34 is in contact with and effectively interferes with thetoner cartridge 300 from being removed from thedocking station 26. When thetoner cartridge 300 is ready to be removed from thedocking station 26, the lockingarm 34 is moved to an unblocking position (shown in phantom lines). Specifically, the lockingarm 34 is actuated vertically away from thetoner cartridge 300 along the lockingarm axis 42, and subsequently rotated (approximately 90 degrees) about thelocking arm axis 42 until the lockingarm 34 is positioned outside of the vertical footprint of thetoner cartridge 300 for ease of removal of thecartridge 300. Although thelocking arm actuator 38 is defined as a pneumatic actuator, theactuator 38 may alternately be a different type of suitable actuator. - With continued reference to
FIGS. 1 and3 , the tonercartridge disassembly machine 10 further includes amain carrier frame 46 movably coupled to thebase 14 viaguide rails 50 and a pair of auxiliary carrier frames 54, 58 movably supported on themain carrier frame 46. Specifically, the firstauxiliary carrier frame 54 is movably coupled to themain carrier frame 46 viaguide rails 62, while the secondauxiliary carrier frame 58 is movably coupled to the firstauxiliary carrier frame 54 via guide rails 66. Themain carrier frame 46 is capable of sliding in the y-direction (as denoted by arrow 70) onrails 50 and both the first and second auxiliary carrier frames 54, 58 are capable of sliding in the x-direction (as denoted by arrow 74) onrails main carrier frame 46. With that said, the firstauxiliary carrier frame 54 moves in a direction parallel relative to the secondauxiliary carrier frame 58. The guide rails 50, 62, 66 of the illustrated embodiment are conventional linear slide rails with corresponding dry bearing mounts captured on the linear slide rails. In other embodiments, ball bearing mounts may alternatively be coupled to the linear slide rails. - The
main carrier frame 46 includes three separate pneumatic actuators - afirst actuator 78 fixedly coupled between the base 14 and themain carrier frame 46, asecond actuator 82 fixedly coupled between themain carrier frame 46 and the firstauxiliary carrier frame 54, and athird actuator 86 fixedly coupled between the first and second auxiliary carrier frames 54, 58. When activated, apiston rod 90 of thefirst actuator 78 moves themain carrier frame 46 along the guide rails 50 in the y-direction. Similarly, apiston rod 94 of thesecond actuator 82 moves the firstauxiliary carrier frame 54 along the guides rails 62 in the y-direction and apiston rod 98 of thethird actuator 86 moves the secondauxiliary carrier frame 58 along the guide rails 66 in the y-direction. Although originally defined as pneumatic actuators, theactuators - With reference to
FIG. 3 , limit screws 102 are provided in the movement path of each actuator 78, 82, 86 to limit the range of motion of each actuator 78, 82, 86 within a predetermined distance. The limit screws 102 are capable of being adjusted to change the predetermined distance that each actuator 78, 82, 86 is permitted to travel. The limit screws 102 of the illustrated embodiment are "hard-stops", such that the limit screws 102 interfere and inhibit movement of theactuators actuator - With reference to
FIG. 4 , the tonercartridge disassembly machine 10 further includes apin removal arm 106 that is coupled to and movable with the secondauxiliary carrier frame 58. In fact, thepin removal arm 106 is cantilevered away from the secondauxiliary carrier frame 58 along thex-direction 74, such that afirst end 110 of thepin removal arm 106 is rigidly fixed to the secondauxiliary carrier frame 58, whereas a distalsecond end 114 of thepin removal arm 106 is unsupported and spaced away in the x-direction 74 from the secondauxiliary carrier frame 58. Thepin removal arm 106 is parallel to therails 66 and includes a pair of push-outpins pin removal arm 106 throughrespective pin housings pin housings pin removal arm 106 with screws, bolts, or other suitable fasteners so that thepin housings pins pins pins arm axis 126, which extends in a direction of longitudinal extent of thepin removal arm 106. Thepin removal arm 106 further includes a wedge-shapedtip 130 disposed at thesecond end 114 of thepin removal arm 106. The wedge-shapedtip 130 aids in guiding thepin removal arm 106 into thegap 340 of thetoner cartridge 300 as thepin removal arm 106 moves along thex-direction 74. In other words, the wedge-shapedtip 130 decreases the likelihood of inadvertent jamming between thepin removal arm 106 and thetoner cartridge 300 during insertion of thepin removal arm 106 into thegap 340. A recessedportion 134 is disposed adjacent thefirst end 110, which also decreases the likelihood of inadvertent jamming between thepin removal arm 106 and thetoner cartridge 300. But in this case, the recessedportion 134 provides clearance when thepin removal arm 106 is already received in thegap 340 and thepin removal arm 106 moves in the y-direction 70 relative to thetoner cartridge 300. The recessedportion 134 includes a slimmer profile than the remainder of thepin removal arm 106 to provide clearance between portions of thetoner cartridge 300 and thepin removal arm 106. - In operation, the
pin removal arm 106 is operable to remove (or at least partially displace) thepins toner cartridge 300 in order to facilitate separation of thetoner hopper 305 from thewaste hopper 310. In many cases, refurbishing of any print cartridge is simplified by complete or partial disassembly of the print cartridge. This holds true for thetoner cartridge 300, such that portions of thetoner cartridge 300 are preferably disassembled to initiate a refurbishment process. As illustrated inFIG. 5 , thepin removal arm 106 is in a default or "homed" position and thetoner cartridge 300 is positioned withindocking station 26. In the homed position, thepin removal arm 106 is outside the vertical footprint of thetoner cartridge 300 and thearm axis 126 is axially aligned with thegap 340 of theprint cartridge 300. As such, thepin axis 338 and thearm axis 126 are parallel (i.e., axially offset) relative to each other. The lockingarm 34 is in the blocked position at this time (as shown in solid lines ofFIG. 1 ). - To initiate a pin removal sequence, the first
auxiliary carrier frame 54 is actuated relative to themain carrier frame 46 via thesecond actuator 82 along the x-direction 74 towards thetoner cartridge 300. Since the secondauxiliary carrier frame 58 is supported on the firstauxiliary carrier frame 54, the secondauxiliary carrier frame 58 moves with firstauxiliary carrier frame 54. The firstauxiliary carrier frame 54 is actuated a predetermined distance (set by the associated limit screws 102) that corresponds to thepin removal arm 106 being actuated through thegap 340 and positioned underneathwaste hopper 310 of thetoner cartridge 300, as shown inFIG. 6 . - With reference to
FIG. 7 , thepin removal arm 106 is moved in the y-direction 70 until thearm axis 126 of thepin removal arm 106 is co-axially aligned with thepin axis 338 of thetoner cartridge 300. To accomplish this, themain carrier frame 46 is actuated relative to thebase 14 via thefirst actuator 78 along the y-direction 70 until theactuator 78 ormain carrier frame 46 abuts the relevant limit screws 102. When thepin removal arm 106 is moved in the y-direction 70, the recessedportion 134 enables thepin removal arm 106 to avoid contact with a portion of thewaste hopper 310. - With reference to
FIG. 8 , thepin removal arm 106 is actuated along thearm axis 126 towards thepin 330A via the secondauxiliary carrier frame 58 and thethird actuator 86. The push-outpin 118A of thepin removal arm 106 contacts thepin 330A and at least partially displaces thepin 330A from the connection joint 325A. Subsequently, thepin removal arm 106 is actuated in the opposite direction along thearm axis 126 towards thepin 330B, as shown inFIG. 9 . To accomplish this, thepin removal arm 106 is actuated by the secondauxiliary carrier frame 58 and thethird actuator 86. The push-outpin 118B contacts thepin 330B and at least partially displaces thepin 330B from the connection joint 325B. The amount which the push-outpins pins third actuator 86. Specifically, the push-outpin 118A stops displacing thepin 330A when thepiston rod 98 of thethird actuator 86 abuts one of the limit screws 102. Similarly, the push-outpin 118B stops displacing thepin 330B when thepiston rod 98 of thethird actuator 86 abuts another one of the limit screws 102. Although thepins pins - At this point, the
pin removal arm 106 is re-actuated along thearm axis 126 until the push-outpin 118A merely touches (but does not exert a pushing force) thepin 330A, corresponding to thepiston rod 98 of thethird actuator 86 abutting thelimit screw 102. As thepiston rod 98 touches thelimit screw 102, thethird actuator 86 now has a "zeroed" reference point that thethird actuator 86 uses to properly reposition thepin removal arm 106 in-between the connection joints 325A, 325B, such that neither of the push-outpins pin removal arm 106 properly positioned between the connection joints 325A, 325B, themain carrier frame 46 is now actuated in the y-direction via thefirst actuator 78 to realign thepin removal arm 106 with thegap 340 of thetoner cartridge 300. Finally, the firstauxiliary carrier frame 54 is actuated along the x-direction via thesecond actuator 82 to remove thepin removal arm 106 from underneath thewaste hopper 310 through thegap 340 until thepin removal arm 106 is in the homed position (FIG. 5 ). The lockingarm 34 is returned to the unblocking position (FIG. 3 ), providing clearance for removal of thetoner cartridge 300 from thedocking station 26. Thepins pins same pins toner cartridge 300. - Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a system and method of remanufacturing a toner cartridge. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Claims (15)
- A method of disassembling a used toner cartridge having a toner hopper and a waste hopper coupled to the toner hopper via a first pin and a second pin, wherein the first pin is removably coupled within a first connection joint and the second pin is removably coupled within a second connection joint, the method comprising the steps of:(a) providing a pin removal arm having a first push-out pin and a second push-out pin;(b) positioning the pin removal arm between the first connection joint and the second connection joint;(c) displacing the first pin of the toner hopper relative to the first connection joint with the first push-out pin by moving the pin removal arm towards the first pin; and(d) displacing the second pin of the toner hopper relative to the second connection joint with the second push-out pin by moving the pin removal arm towards the second pin.
- The method of claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge includes a gap disposed between the toner hopper and the waste hopper, the method further comprising aligning the pin removal arm with the gap using a first actuator.
- The method of claim 2, further comprising actuating the pin removal arm into the gap using a second actuator.
- The method of claim 1, wherein positioning the pin removal arm between the first connection joint and the second connection joint includes actuating the pin removal arm using a first actuator.
- The method of claim 1, wherein steps (c) and (d) include actuating the pin removal arm using an actuator.
- The method of claim 1, wherein the first push-out pin and the second push-out pin are substantially axially aligned with one another along an arm axis, the method further comprising actuating the pin removal arm using a first actuator to co-axially align the arm axis with the pin axis.
- The method of claim 1:wherein step (c) includes displacing the first pin of the toner hopper by exerting a force on the first pin using the first push-out pin of the pin removal arm; orwherein step (d) further includes displacing the second pin of the toner hopper by exerting a force on the second pin using the second push-out pin of the pin removal arm; orfurther comprising inhibiting movement of the toner cartridge relative to the pin removal arm during a pin removal sequence.
- A toner cartridge disassembly machine for at least partially disassembling a toner cartridge, the toner cartridge including a toner hopper and a waste hopper coupled to the toner hopper via a first pin and a second pin, wherein the first pin is removably coupled within a first connection joint and the second pin is removably coupled within a second connection joint, the disassembly machine comprising:a base;a docking station supported by the base and capable of receiving the toner cartridge;a carrier frame movably coupled to the base;a pin removal arm supported by the carrier frame and movable into a position between the first connection joint and the second connection joint, the pin removal arm including a first push-out pin configured to interact with the first pin and a second push-out pin configured to interact with the second pin.
- The disassembly machine of claim 8, further comprising a first actuator coupled to the carrier frame for moving the carrier frame along a first direction, and a second actuator coupled to the carrier frame for moving the carrier frame along a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
- The disassembly machine of claim 9:wherein the toner cartridge defines a gap disposed between the toner hopper and the waste hopper, and wherein the pin removal arm is actuatable through the gap of the toner cartridge along the first direction, and wherein the pin removal arm is actuatable along the second direction to move the pin removal arm into the position between the first connection joint and the second connection joint; orfurther comprising a third actuator for moving the pin removal arm along the first direction to cause the first push-out pin to interact with the first pin and to cause the second push-out pin to interact with the second pin; orwherein the first actuator and the second actuator are both pneumatic actuators.
- The disassembly machine of claim 9, wherein the first and second actuators both include a piston rod that is movable along respective movement paths when actuating the carrier frame, and further comprising limit screws disposed along the movement path of the piston rods of the first and second actuators to limit the range of motion of the piston rods within a predetermined distance.
- The disassembly machine of claim 8, further comprising a locking arm supported by the base and disposed adjacent the docking station, wherein the locking arm is movable between a blocking position, in which the locking arm inhibits removal of the toner cartridge from the docking station, and an unblocking position, in which the toner cartridge is permitted to be removed from the docking station.
- The disassembly machine of claim 8, wherein the first and second push-out pins are removably coupled to the pin removal arm.
- The disassembly machine of claim 8,
wherein the first push-out pin of the pin removal arm interacts with the first pin by exerting a force on the first pin to displace the first pin relative to the first connection joint; or wherein the second push-out pin of the pin removal arm interacts with the second pin by exerting a force on the second pin to displace the second pin relative to the second connection joint. - The disassembly machine of claim 8, wherein the carrier frame is movable relative to the base along a first direction and along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the carrier frame is guided along the first direction via a first guide rail, and wherein the carrier frame is guided along the second direction via a second guide rail that is perpendicular to the first guide rail.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US15/955,369 US10310415B1 (en) | 2018-04-17 | 2018-04-17 | System and method for removing pins from a print cartridge |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3557330A1 true EP3557330A1 (en) | 2019-10-23 |
Family
ID=66182426
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP19169256.5A Withdrawn EP3557330A1 (en) | 2018-04-17 | 2019-04-15 | System and method for removing pins from a print cartridge |
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US (1) | US10310415B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3557330A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN110389517B (en) |
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CN101201580A (en) * | 2007-12-13 | 2008-06-18 | 珠海天威飞马打印耗材有限公司 | Method for regeneration processing box of laser printer |
US7590369B2 (en) * | 2007-05-01 | 2009-09-15 | Wazana Brothers International, Inc. | System and method for separating and repairing a laser toner cartridge |
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JP3073102B2 (en) * | 1992-09-28 | 2000-08-07 | 富士通株式会社 | Process cartridge and image forming apparatus |
JP3661727B2 (en) * | 1997-07-10 | 2005-06-22 | 株式会社ダイフク | Pin removal device |
JP2001042753A (en) * | 1999-07-28 | 2001-02-16 | Canon Inc | Binding member, processing cartridge, and electrophotographic image forming device |
US20080145096A1 (en) * | 2005-01-25 | 2008-06-19 | Samuel Tsui | Two-Part Process Cartridege And Its Assembly/Disassembly |
JP5004870B2 (en) * | 2008-05-23 | 2012-08-22 | キヤノン株式会社 | Process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus |
CN201529971U (en) * | 2009-10-09 | 2010-07-21 | 珠海天威飞马打印耗材有限公司 | Pin-removing tool |
JP2011123348A (en) * | 2009-12-11 | 2011-06-23 | Canon Inc | Process cartridge and method for disassembling process cartridge |
US9943950B2 (en) * | 2014-12-19 | 2018-04-17 | General Electric Company | Threaded pin remover |
US9952555B2 (en) | 2015-10-14 | 2018-04-24 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Cartridge configured to be removably attachable to an image forming apparatus |
CN206501064U (en) * | 2017-02-27 | 2017-09-19 | 中山市飞溙电子科技有限公司 | A kind of pin erecting device of toner cartridge |
CN107589649B (en) * | 2017-10-13 | 2020-10-23 | 优彩科技(湖北)有限公司 | Developer accommodating device post-processing system and method for recycling residual carbon powder |
-
2018
- 2018-04-17 US US15/955,369 patent/US10310415B1/en active Active
-
2019
- 2019-04-15 EP EP19169256.5A patent/EP3557330A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2019-04-15 CN CN201910298414.XA patent/CN110389517B/en active Active
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20040045156A1 (en) * | 2002-09-06 | 2004-03-11 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Disassembling tool for process cartridge |
US7590369B2 (en) * | 2007-05-01 | 2009-09-15 | Wazana Brothers International, Inc. | System and method for separating and repairing a laser toner cartridge |
CN101201580A (en) * | 2007-12-13 | 2008-06-18 | 珠海天威飞马打印耗材有限公司 | Method for regeneration processing box of laser printer |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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CN110389517B (en) | 2023-02-10 |
CN110389517A (en) | 2019-10-29 |
US10310415B1 (en) | 2019-06-04 |
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